Friday, November 9, 2018

#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#JUST a week into his senior season, Nashad Mackey is already earning conference accolades for the Embry Riddle Eagles men’s basketball programme.

#Mackey earned the first Sunshine State Conference Defensive Player of the Week as the Eagles got off to a 2-1 start to the year.

#He recorded three double-doubles in the Eagles’ first three games, averaging 20.0 points and 11.7 rebounds per game. He also recorded seven steals and turned away a pair of shots for the Eagles over the weekend.

#In the season opener, he posted 18 points, 14 rebounds, two steals and two blocked shots in Embry-Riddle’s 72-69 win over Concordia.

#In game two, he finished with 21 points, 11 rebounds and three steals in a 79-70 win over Azusa Pacific.

#In their first loss, Mackey finished with 21 points, 10 rebounds and two steals in a 94-81 loss to Lindenwood.

#The Eagles return to the court tonight and look to get back into the win column against Lee University.

#Mackey has 26 double-doubles in 31 career games with Embry-Riddle.

#As a junior, Mackey produced a number of career milestones and postseason awards.

#He was named to the All-Conference second team as well as the All-Newcomer team when the Sunshine State Conference office announced the 2017-18 men’s basketball postseason awards.

#Mackey made school history when he became the first Eagles player to earn an All-Conference selection. He had an immediate impact on the programme as they transitioned to NCAA Division II with his record-breaking junior season.

#He averaged 17.3 points and 12.5 rebounds per game, both team leads. In 28 starts, he also set a new single-season double-doubles record with 23 on the year and ended the season with 13 such consecutive games. He posted a total of 350 rebounds, another school record, ranked second in NCAA Division II.

#He finished with nine 20-point games, including one 20-point, 20-rebound game in an upset of No. 10 Barry University. He also shot 88.8 per cent from the free throw line this season, ranked sixth among single-season totals in programme history.

#The Eagles closed out the 2017-18 season last week with a 104-97 loss to Florida Southern to end the season at 11-17, 5-15 in the conference.

#Mackey ended the campaign strong with his final double-double of the season with 26 points and 14 rebounds. He transferred to the Eagles and NCAA Division II level after he posted stellar individual numbers and garnered postseason awards at the JuCo level.

#During his stint with the Daytona State College Falcons, he was named the Mid-Florida Conference Player of the Year and was also named First team All-State in the conference as a sophomore.

Tuesday, January 16, 2018

NASHAD MACKEY

#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#NASHAD Mackey has always been heralded for his scoring and rebounding, but we can now add improved defence to his skillset during his first season with the Embry Riddle Eagles.

#The junior forward was named the Sunshine State Conference defensive player of the week when the league announced its weekly honours yesterday.

#Embry Riddle recently got their first Sunshine State Conference win with an 86-77 triumph over No.10 Barry University for their first win over a ranked opponent this season.

#Mackey finished with 26 points and 20 rebounds on 8-10 shooting from the field, including 4-5 from three-point range and 3-4 shooting from the free throw line.

#He became just the second Eagle in school history to record a 20-20 game.

#En route to winning the weekly honour, Mackey led the Eagles to a pair of wins. Mackey scored 10 points and grabbed 14 rebounds while registering three assists, a block and two steals in the Eagles’ first ever conference win over NSU

#On the season, Mackey is averaging 16.1 points and 12.0 rebounds per game.

#He transferred to the Eagles and NCAA Division II level after he posted stellar individual numbers and garnered postseason awards at the JuCo level.

#During his stint with the Daytona State College Falcons, he was named the Mid-Florida Conference Player of the Year and was also named First team All-State in the conference as a sophomore.

#Mackey played in over 850 minutes for the Falcons in his sophomore season, leading his team in time on the court. For the Falcons he averaged 15.1 points per game on the season, and 18.8 points in conference play. Mackey also averaged three times as many boards as his next teammate statistically, averaging 14.4 rebounds per game in conference contests.

#He said the educational opportunities at Embry-Riddle were at the forefront of his decision process.

#“I always valued my education. Being an engineering major, Embry-Riddle is one of the best programmes nationwide. The university and campus is growing rapidly. Also Embry-Riddle is a winning programme under the leadership of Steve Ridder, who is father of the head coach at Daytona State.

#“I also developed a great relationship with the entire coaching staff through this recruiting process and I believe they had my best interest at heart,” he said.

#In his freshman season with the Falcons, he averaged 9.8 points and 10.1 rebounds per game while shooting 47 per cent from the field and 26 per cent from three-point range. He led the team in double doubles with several standout performances, including 28 points and 11 rebounds in a 105-78 win over South Georgia Technical College and 18 points and 15 rebounds in a 77-74 loss to Florida Southwestern.

#This season is ERAU’s third and final year of the NCAA II transition process after spending its entire history in NAIA.

#Mackey was a former standout for the CR Walker Knights with before he relocated to the US and the Champagnat Catholic School Lions programme in Hialeah, Florida, along with fellow Bahamians Jaron Cornish and Oswald Parker.

#He was named to the Miami Herald’s All-Dade first-team for 4A-2A schools in Dade County, Florida, and also named to the Florida Association of Basketball Coaches (FABC) and Source Hoops 2014-2015 Boys Class 2A All-State Teams.

#He posted averages of 19 points, nine rebounds and three blocks per game as a high school senio

Thursday, March 23, 2017

NASHAD MACKEY

#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#HIS final season at the Junior College fell short of his ultimate team goal of a national championship, but Nashad Mackey’s stellar individual numbers continue to garner postseason awards.

#Mackey, the 6’6” guard/forward for the Daytona State College Falcons, was named the Mid-Florida Conference Player of the Year and was also named First team All-State in the conference.

#Mackey played in over 850 minutes for the Falcons this season, leading his team in time on the court. For the Falcons he averaged 15.1 points per game on the season, and 18.8 points in conference play.

#Mackey also averaged three times as many boards as his next teammate statistically, averaging 14.4 rebounds per game in conference contests.

#Falcons assistant coach Ian Gibson lauded Mackey’s effort this season.

#“Probably the best rebounder in the state. Great kid, great person, does everything right on and off the floor every single day. You can always depend on him to do everything that we ask,” Gibson said.

#Mackey is expected to continue his basketball career at the NCAA Division II level after he signed with the Embry-Riddle Eagles in November.

#He said the educational opportunities at Embry-Riddle was at the forefront of his decision process.

#“I always valued my education. Being an engineering major, Embry-Riddle is one of the best programmes nationwide. The university and campus is growing rapidly. Also Embry-Riddle is a winning programme under the leadership of Steve Ridder, who is father of the head coach at Daytona State. I also developed a great relationship with the entire coaching staff through this recruiting process and I believe they had my best interest at heart,” he said.

#In his freshman season with the Falcons, he averaged 9.8 points and 10.1 rebounds per game while shooting 47 per cent from the field and 26 per cent from three-point range.

#He led the team in double doubles with several standout performances, including 28 points and 11 rebounds in a 105-78 win over South Georgia Technical College and 18 points and 15 rebounds in a 77-74 loss to Florida Southwestern.

#“My time here at Daytona has been a blast, I’ve spent countless amounts of hours working on my game and making a body transition. It paid off quite fine. I became more athletic and agile, making the game a whole lot better for myself,” he said. “I think I’ll fit into the programme effectively. My skill set is sufficient to make immediate impact and, who knows, maybe an all conference player. At this level division two and with this programme I can play anywhere on the court from 1-5.”

#This season is ERAU’s third and final year of the NCAA II transition process after spending its entire history in NAIA.

#Mackey was a former standout for the CR Walker Knights with head coach Trevor Grant. He relocated to the US and the Champagnat Catholic School Lions programme in Hialeah, Florida, along with fellow Bahamians Jaron Cornish and Oswald Parker.

#Mackey was named to the Miami Herald’s All-Dade first-team for 4A-2A schools in Dade County, Florida, and also named to the Florida Association of Basketball Coaches (FABC) and Source Hoops 2014-2015 Boys Class 2A All-State Teams.

#He posted averages of 19 points, nine rebounds and three blocks per game.

#This offseason his attempt to make the men’s senior national team was seen as a learning experience and motivation to get better.

Thursday, July 6, 2017

Lathaniel Bastian (centre) in action for the Bahamas.

#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#ANOTHER Bahamian basketball talent received an opportunity to further his academic and athletic career through basketball.

#Lathaniel Bastian is expected to join the Gillette Proghorns men’s basketball programme on a full athletic scholarship this fall.

#The 6’7″, 205-pound forward will join a programme with a rich tradition under head coach Shawn Neary.

#Located in Gillette, Wyoming, the Proghorns compete in the National Junior Collegiate Athletic Association’s Region IX.

#In just eight years since its inception, Gillete is a three time national tournament qualifier, two-time Region IX champion and has produced 15 All-Region players.

#Locally, Bastian spent his high school years with the Doris Johnson Mystic Marlins under head coach Denycko Bowles and was also a member of Bowles’ International Basketball Academy – Bahamas.

#“Coach Bowles was the coach at Doris Johnson, he saw that I needed work, he saw that I was shaky in the game and he did all that he could to develop me into the player I am now,” Bastian said.

#“He saw potential in me. I used to be nervous, with the crowd watching me I really want to play well for the crowd. Going over there [the United States] no one really knew so I realised I don’t have to play for the crowd I can play for myself and that’s where my game really elevated and I became more dominant. That’s where I started developing. My time at IBA helped my confidence and it helped me be physical and develop my game.”

#Bastian participated in a pair of showcases this offseason – the Darrell Sears Showcase in Grand Bahama and the IBA/Get Me Recruited Super 60, Hot 100 Showdown in New Providence.

#Following his career at Doris Johnson, he spent a year with the Game on Rise Academy, a prep school in Ocala, Florida.

#Game on Rise Academy is a year-round basketball training, recruitment assistance programme. The organisation boasts “85 combined years of academic tutoring, athletic training, weight training, counselling, mentoring, life skill and time management teaching.”

#The format of the prep institutions academic and athletic regimen is marketed to appeal to international students.

#Bastian was afforded the opportunity to compete against other academies, junior colleges and prep schools.

#It gives players an opportunity to train another year if the offers to colleges were unavailable immediately after high school.

#“There is a small niche in basketball where these guys finish high school and they are not good enough to immediately play in college or they simply just haven’t been recognised,” Game On Rise founder Mike Kirkland told the Ocala Star Banner.

#“So we have provided an area where kids can come to train and gain a solid extra year to help them earn a scholarship playing basketball. We have a loaded database of coaches and scouts that we contact regularly and help get these players to the next level.”

Thursday, May 12, 2016

D’Andre Vilmar

#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#THIS summer will set the tone for Bahamian basketball star D’Andre Vilmar as he plans to announce his collegiate decision following a season of tournaments, showcases and national team play.

#Vilmar recently completed his junior season for the Roman Catholic High School Cahillites in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and said the attention now shifts to securing a scholarship offer over the course of the next few months.

#“I think I’m close to making a decision. I think I’m going to breakout in July. I’ve been in contact with a few schools but July is going to be where I really breakout and get looks from some high major schools,” he said.

#“The off-season is a big thing and that’s where you get most of your offers. AAU really started in the spring and for me that will continue in July when I’ll be playing with Coach [Darell] Sears on the AAU circuit. After that most likely I’ll be playing with the Bahamas national team in Panama at the CBCs.

#“But July will be busy in Atlanta, Louisiana and Las Vegas. The summer ball to me is more important. All the coaches come out and see you and you play in front of every coach you can think of. AAU ball is structured but you get to show your game more than you do in the regular season.”

#The 6ft 4in guard and Abaco native helped his team capture the 2016 PIAA Class 4A title with a 73-62 win over the Allderdice Dragons.

#After their second consecutive state title, Roman Catholic will lose three starters to graduation, thrusting Vilmar into the spotlight and a leadership role for his senior season.

#“The journey was crazy because a lot of people doubted that we would even win it the first time, but when we won it back-to-back it was amazing,” he said. “People don’t understand all the hours and sacrifices you have to put in to win a state championship – practicing every day. You can’t really have weekends to yourself you got to spend most of it with your team and travelling, and of course you have everyone trying to knock you down from that pedestal.

#“It’s a hard thing to do to get it once, but back-to-back that rarely happens so it was a great thing for me to experience and it was a great thing for my team.”

#Vilmar continues his improvement on the college recruitment circuit and is making his way toward the ESPN 60 rankings. Listed as a four-star recruit, he is now ranked fourth in the state and 27th nationally at his position.

#Vilmar has received one Division I scholarship offer so far, from the Colorado State Rams while other schools such as La Salle and Penn and Iona have all showed considerable interest.

#At the international level last summer, he was a part of the Bahamas team that finished fifth at the FIBA Centrobasket Under-17 Championship when led the tournament in scoring at 19.6 points per game and rebounding at 12.4 boards per game. He was also second in assists as he dished out 4.6 per game.

#“The first game I was bit nervous and I was messing up a lot. But coach Sears he left me out there and I made two baskets back-to-back and I gained confidence. After that I felt like nobody could really guard me and as the tournament went on I just kept getting better and better each game, I was able to produce and everybody starting relying on me.

#“When you’re playing that role and everyone expects you to be the main guy it can be tough, but I think I responded well to it,” he said. “When I got back to Roman I was less timid with the ball in my hands. Before, I was a real afraid to make plays but after I came back I was still on that high pedestal from playing in the FIBA.

#“That brought my confidence level up so I came in real confident in making plays. Its taught me about being under control in certain situations and not forcing the issue, knowing when to attack and when to get my teammates involved. I feel like I did a good job handling pressure and my shot selection was definitely better.”

#Vilmar left Abaco in the sixth grade when he moved to live with his uncle in Delaware for a better opportunity at excelling in the sport.

#He credits his family’s vision for the position he find himself in at the current moment.

#“It was in sixth grade, my mom sent me to live with my uncle in Delaware and he really showed me what it takes to get to the top. I went back home for a few months and my uncle was like ‘We’ve got to get Dre back out here if he’s going to make it out.’ 

#“Times were hard at that time but my mom saved and did whatever she could. She didn’t pay the light bill or none of that, she used the money on my ticket and living situation,” he said.

#“I was playing in Delaware for a couple years and then I got joined this AAU team, Team Final. My cousin was already there and when I started playing Roman saw me in seventh or eigth grade, I visited the school and made the decision to go. From there I left my uncle’s house and went to live with my AAU coach in South Jersey so I could be closer to Philadelphia.

#“Everything was so different. They were more serious. In the Bahamas we just played games and thought we were getting better. But when I got to Delaware we were working out two to three times a day. It was a big adjustment at first but I caught on eventually.”

#With Bahamian basketball players Buddy Hield and DeAndre Ayton garnering national attention, Vilmar said he expects to continue that momentum when he gets the opportunity.

#“I like the way that they have the spotlight on the Bahamian players like Buddy and DeAndre,” he said. “I feel like I’m next up to be in that spotlight and I feel like I’m ready for it.”

Elite Bahamian basketball prospect D’Andre Vilmar is expected to transfer to Paul VI High School in Haddonfield, New Jersey, for the upcoming fall semester.

As of Tuesday, December 13, 2016

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#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#BASKETBALL prep superstar D’Andre Vilmar is expected to have an immediate impact with his new programme this fall as he heads into his senior year and final year of NCAA recruitment.

#The Philadephia Inquirer named Vilmar to the preseason All-South Jersey Second Team.

#The 6’4” senior guard is considered one of the top two-way players in the division and his Paul VI  Eagles squad has also been ranked No.4 in the South Jersey Preseason  top 25.

#“The Eagles will look to build on a strong finish to last season with a big boost from senior D’Andre Vilmar, a transfer from Roman Catholic,” the Inquirer said.

#“Sophomore El Khana Hidalgo, a transfer from Life Center who will sit 30 days. Senior guards Justin Ryder and Keenan Wise are experienced perimeter players and senior forward John Calvello is an active presence in the paint.”

#Last season, the Eagles finished 14-13 and lost in the first round of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association state tournament.

#With major Division I offers in his sights, Vilmar decided to relocate for the final season of his high school career and transfer to Paul VI High School in Haddonfield, New Jersey for the upcoming fall semester.

#He joined the Eagles programme after spending the last two seasons with the Roman Catholic High School Cahillites in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

#“At Roman, our head coach retired, a lot of players left and it just wasn’t going to feel the same,” Vilmar said.

#“My host family I live with, their son is going to Paul VI with me, my parents think it’s a good move, my aunt and I have been talking about it a whole lot, my AAU coach thinks it’s a good fit so I’m ready. I feel like going to come there and with some new scenery.

#“I’m going to get to play my game and be more free to do the things I know I can do and the things everybody else in my circle knows I can do. It’s going to be a great year and I feel like we can make a ‘cinderella’ run. We can really make some noise in south Jersey.”

#With the Cahillites, the 6’4” guard and Abaco native helped his team capture their second consecutive PIAA Class 4A title.

#“I love Roman, I love the fans, I had great years there but I felt it was time for a change. I felt like this was something different and this was the right thing to do at this point,” he said.

#“I don’t feel like God would’ve opened this door if this wasn’t where he wanted me to go. This really came out of nowhere. This wasn’t something planned, he just opened this door and I feel like this is the right thing. I’ve been praying a lot about it and I just feel like this is what he wanted me to do.”

#Earlier this month, Vilmar announced via Twitter that he has recently received offers from the Oklahoma, Long Beach State and Buffalo.

#In the offseason he participated with coach Darrell Sears’ Jaguars at various tournaments, including the the Big Foot Hoops Las Vegas Classic presented by Hal Pastner in Las Vegas, Nevada, and the Texas Hoops Great American Shootout in Duncanville, Texas.

#Prior to the summer circuit, Vilmar received one Division I scholarship offer from the Colorado St Rams while other schools such as La Salle, Penn and Iona have all showed considerable interest.

#Vilmar left Abaco in the sixth grade when he moved to live with his family in Delaware for a better opportunity at excelling in the sport.

Thursday, September 1, 2016

Elite Bahamian basketball prospect D’Andre Vilmar.

#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#WITH major Division I offers in his sights, elite Bahamian basketball prospect D’Andre Vilmar will relocate for the final season of his high school career.

#Vilmar will transfer to Paul VI High School in Haddonfield, New Jersey for the upcoming fall semester.

#The senior guard will join the Eagles’ programme after spending the last two seasons with the Roman Catholic High School Cahillites in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

HEART OF A CHAMPION: With the Roman Catholic High School Cahillites in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Vilmar helped his team capture their second consecutive PIAA Class 4A title.

#“At Roman, our head coach retired, a lot of players left and it just wasn’t going to feel the same,” Vilmar said.

#“My host family I live with, their son is going to Paul VI with me, my parents think it’s a good move, my aunt and I have been talking about it a whole lot,  my AAU coach thinks it’s a good fit so I’m ready.

#“I feel like going to come there and with some new scenery, I’m going to get to play my game and be more free to do the things I know I can do and the things everybody else in my circle knows I can do.

#“It’s going to  be a great year and I feel like we can make a ‘cinderella’ run. We can really make some noise in south Jersey.”

#Last season, the Eagles lost in the first round of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association state tournament.

#With the Cahillites, the 6’4” guard and Abaco native helped his team capture their second consecutive PIAA Class 4A title.

#“I love Roman, I love the fans, I had great years there but I felt it was time for a change. I felt like this was something different and this was the right thing to do at this point,” he said.

#“I don’t feel like God would’ve opened this door if this wasn’t where he wanted me to go. This really came out of nowhere. This wasn’t something planned, he just opened this door and I feel like this is the right thing. I’ve been praying a lot about it and I just feel like this is what he wanted me to do.”

#Earlier this month, Vilmar announced via Twitter that he has recently received offers from the Oklahoma Sooners, Long Beach State 49ers and Buffalo Bulls.

#The Bahamian connection with the Big 12 powerhouse Sooners has been well documented with the critically acclaimed career of Buddy Hield and Vilmar could be next in line for the Fall 2017 class.

#The 49ers, out of the Big West Conference, last made the NCAA tournament in 2012 and participated in the NIT last year.

#The Bulls have been one of the fastest rising programmes nationally with back-to-back NCAA tournament appearances, their first in school history.

#In the offseason he participated with coach Darrell Sears’ Jaguars at various tournaments, including the the Big Foot Hoops Las Vegas Classic presented by Hal Pastner in Las Vegas, Nevada, the Texas Hoops Great American Shootout in Duncanville, Texas.

#Prior to the summer circuit, Vilmar received one Division I scholarship offer, from the Colorado St Rams while other schools such as La Salle, Penn and Iona have all showed considerable interest.

#Vilmar left Abaco in the sixth grade when he moved to live with his family in Delaware for a better opportunity at excelling in the sport.

Friday, August 5, 2016

D’ANDRE VILMAR

#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#AFTER a productive offseason on various AAU summer circuits, the major Division I offers he predicted are starting to roll in for Bahamian high school basketball star D’Andre Vilmar.

#Vilmar announced via Twitter that he has recently received offers from the Oklahoma Sooners, Long Beach State 49ers and Buffalo Bulls.

#The Bahamian connection with the Big 12 powerhouse Sooners has been well documented with the critically acclaimed career of Buddy Hield and Vilmar could be next in line for the Fall 2017 class.

#The Sooners are coming off a Final Four season and are recruiting a current class for Fall 2016 which includes four-star shooting guard Kameron McGusty.

#The 49ers, out of the Big West Conference, last made the NCAA tournament in 2012 and participated in the NIT last year.

#The Bulls have been one of the fastest rising programmes nationally with back-to-back NCAA tournament appearances, their first in school history.

#Vilmar recently completed his junior season for the Roman Catholic High School Cahillites in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

#The six-foot, 4-inch guard and Abaco native helped his team capture the 2016 PIAA Class 4A title with a 73-62 win over the Allderdice Dragons.

#After their second consecutive state title, Roman Catholic will lose three starters to graduation, thrusting Vilmar into the spotlight and a leadership role for his senior season.

#In the offseason he participated with coach Darrell Sears’ Jaguars at various tournaments, including the the Big Foot Hoops Las Vegas Classic presented by Hal Pastner in Las Vegas, Nevada, the Texas Hoops Great American Shootout in Duncanville, Texas.

#Prior to the summer circuit, Vilmar received one Division I scholarship offer, from the Colorado St Rams while other schools such as La Salle, Penn and Iona have all showed considerable interest.

#Vilmar left Abaco in the sixth grade when he moved to live with his uncle in Delaware for a better opportunity at excelling in the sport.

#He credits his family’s vision for the position he finds himself in at the current moment.

#With Bahamian basketball players Buddy Hield and DeAndre Ayton garnering national attention, Vilmar said he expects to continue that momentum when he gets the opportunity.

#“I like the way that they have the spotlight on the Bahamian players like Buddy and DeAndre,” he said.

#“I feel like I’m next up to be in that spotlight and I feel like I’m ready for it.”

Tuesday, July 17, 2018

#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#A TEAM made up of local and foreign-based Bahamian players have had an impressive run on the AAU summer basketball circuit.

#The Bahamas Jaguars, led by St George’s head coach Darrell Sears, captured their respective bracket championship of the George McClellan Invitational in Houston, Texas during the NCAA’s “live open” recruitment period.

#The Jaguars’ roster was highlighted by some of the top Bahamian high school players, including D’Andre Vilmar, Ahmard Harvey, D’Angelo Mackey, Christopher Johnson and others.

#In the Red Bracket of the HOT division for U-17 players, the Jaguars opened pool play on Friday with a 79-59 win over Backcourt Hoops Elite. On day two they had a 74-71 win over TSK-Texas Supreme Kings and followed with a 60-42 win over Hustle Hard Elite.

#On the final day of competition, the Jaguars closed with three wins. They began the day with a 63-60 win over RL9Elite, followed by an 80-76 win over TX Elite – Tiger Life and in the championship game, took a 69-61 win over Houston Topguns.

#A total of 64 teams competed in the division.

#In the Gold bracket of the SPICY division (U-16) the Jaguars opened tournament play with a 51-42 win over the Houston Rockstarz. They followed with a 55-43 win over FL Elite and suffered their only loss of the tournament 69-66 to eventual bracket champions, Cooz Elite. The Jaguars ended the tournament with a 43-16 win over Beast Elite in a consolation game.

#The GMI is NCAA approved and is widely regarded as one of the nation’s most reputable tournaments held during the July live period with over 100 Division I coaches in attendance.

#The foundation was established in 2006 in honour of the late George McClellan. He was a very strong advocate for youth basketball, giving freely his resources to support the achievement of all student-athletes in the Houston area.

#The foundation strives to make a positive impact on our communities by using basketball and community service as a means to inspire, educate, and guide children towards their potential as student-athletes and as people.

#Sears, the longtime coach of the St George’s Jaguars in Grand Bahama, began the practice of travelling with his players to the United States to gain exposure for his players in the late 1990s.

#Since then, he has been able to forge a network of connections that now affords a greater number of players those same opportunities by showcasing their skills at home in his annual showcase in April.

#In 2017, the Jaguars competed in the Big Foot Hoops Las Vegas Classic presented by Hal Pastner in Las Vegas, Nevada. They completed pool play at a perfect 3-0 before they advanced to the main bracket and were eliminated in the second round.

#Prior to Vegas, the Jaguars competed in the Texas Hoops Great American Shootout in Duncanville, Texas.

Tuesday, July 26, 2016

D’ANDRE VILMAR

#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#A TEAM made up of local and foreign-based Bahamian players have had an impressive run on the AAU summer basketball circuit.

#The Bahamas Jaguars, led by St George’s head coach Darrell Sears, spent several weeks playing across the United States during the NCAA’s “live open” recruitment period.

#The Jaguars’ roster was highlighted by some of the top Bahamian high school players, including D’Andre Vilmar of Roman Catholic (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania), Godfrey Rolle and Qymeh Gibson of Sunrise Christian Academy (Wichita, Kansas), Lathaniel Bastian of Doris Johnson, Anderias Blacks of CC Sweeting and a number of others.

#The team recently competed in the Big Foot Hoops Las Vegas Classic presented by Hal Pastner in Las Vegas, Nevada.

#They completed pool play at a perfect 3-0 before they advanced to the main bracket and were eliminated in the second round.

#The Jaguars began the competition with a 72-33 win over South Arlington All Stars (Texas), followed by a 62-45 victory over UpTempo Black (Indiana) and a 61-57 win over Rocktop Nation (Pennsylvania).

#In the championship bracket, Boise Elite (Idaho) were victorious in round one but lost in round two to Northwestern Ohio Bball (Ohio) 72-66.

#Bigfoot Hoops is a company formed and run by Pastner. He has produced and organised premier basketball events for more than two decades. The organisation has created eight major events for the 2016 travel team season,

#Prior to Vegas, the Jaguars competed in the Texas Hoops Great American Shootout in Duncanville, Texas.

#The Jaguars won 57-52 over the Dallas Mustangs to open pool play.They went on to defeat the GCBC Elite-Bullett 69-65.

#Vilmar scored 18 for the Jaguars, with Gibson and Rolle added 13 and 12 respectively. They went on to score a 64-58 win over Oklahoma Impact to advance to the Championship bracket.

#They lost in the opening round to Dallas USA in the NBA Red Championship bracket, 67-60.

#In a previous interview, Vilmar outlined how important the summer is for players on the recruitment circuit.

#“The off-season is a big thing and that’s where you get most of your offers. AAU really started in the spring and for me that will continue in July,” he said,.

#“The summer ball to me is more important. All the coaches come out and see you and you play in front of every coach you can think of. AAU ball is structured but you get to show your game more than you do in the regular season.”

#Sears, the longtime coach of the Jaguars, began the practice of travelling with his players to the United States to gain exposure for his players in the late 1990s.

#Since then, he has been able to forge a network of connections that now affords a greater number of players those same opportunities by showcasing their skills at home in his annual showcase in April.